Who is…? Forest Hill

A “community happening” in which local businesses became mini performance spaces, local people transformed empty shops into Christmas pop-ups, and local pubs and restaurants turned into local community networking and workshop venues.

The Point

To inspire the people of Forest Hill about being members of a vibrant and dynamic local community through an event made up of local community run activities that celebrate what makes our community – our skills, shared interests, the buildings and facilities that support our activities, the businesses that operate, the institutions we have, and the groups and associations that exist here.

To also engage the people of Forest Hill within this event in exploring new connections and relationships that could better support our local economy and the local services we all need, use and share as a community.

Event Structure

Timings: The event ran from 6pm – 9pm with a party upstairs at the Hob to finish. There were also some after-school activities 3 – 6pm.

Sessions: Most venues held 3 x 45minute Pop Ups. However, some activities, for example the DIY Christmas Card sessions, went over the entire event. The slots were as follows:

6-6.45 pm

7-7.45 pm

8-8.45 pm

Getting around: People were given maps to navigate locations and times of activities.

What We Had Hoped For: 40 – 50 activities over the night, spread across 15 venues.

Our Final Programme: 60 activities spread across 30 venues

What Actually Happened: Even with the severe weather forcing the closing of some venues and cancelation of some pop ups, Who is…? still delivered something very close to our original hope.

The Feel We Hoped to Achieve: Something warm, lovely and community with roaming Christmas choirs and previously dark and empty shop windows offering scences of Christmas card and decoration-making sessions in full view from the street.

The Feel We Got: Uncannily how we imagined but with a tuba accompanying the choir and lots and lots of snow.

This preview will also cover snippets of what you will see at the theatre performance at Michael Croft Theatre, Alleyns School, Townley Road Dulwich SE22 8SU 4th December. Tickets on Ticketweb or call 08444 77 1000. Quote “Forest Hill Pop Up” to be eligible for early bird offers. www.alleyns.org.uk
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T-Shirt Painting (Cost: £3.50 per shirt).We will also be offering complimentary tapas and sangria as well as 10% off all purchases on the night from 4. More Info: 148 Kirkdale, Sydenham, SE26 4BB, Telephone: 020 3417 6385, Email: mail@alhambrahome.co.uk

Write a Song, Play an Instrument, Lay Down a Track, Play in a Band! No previous musical experience needed. Kids Jamming and Recording with The Songstress / 4 – 4.45pm @ The Hob
Adult Jamming and Recording with The Songstress / 8 – 8.45pm @ the Hob
More info: www.yoursongstress.com / 07545 638 441

The Foundation to Starting Your Business, followed by a question and answers session with Community Experts / 6 – 6.45 @ Brothers Cafe. More info: www.communityexperts.co.uk / 020 3287 1062

Christmas Hair (including young people), 3 -6 @ Mirror Mirror (CHANGE: THESE SESSIONS WILL NOW START AT 6). More info: Sally 07867 781 419
Kids Storytelling 4 – 5 @ From the Forest, More Info: info@kollier.co.uk
Write a Song, Play an Instrument, Lay Down a Track, Play in a Band! No previous musical experience needed. Kids Jamming and Recording with The Songstress. 4 – 4.45 @The Hob
More info: www.yoursongstress.com / 07545 638 441
Young Movie Maker Screenings and Information on Forest Hill Activities for Young People in and around Forest Hill. 3 -6at platform 1 (Connexions)

T-Shirt Painting (Cost: £3.50 per shirt) We will also be offering complimentary tapas and sangria as well as 10% off all purchases on the night from 4. More Info: 148 Kirkdale, Sydenham, SE26 4BB, 020 3417 6385, mail@alhambrahome.co.uk

Who would have believed this celebration of local community would occur during an unexpected snowfall that meant all trains into and out of Forest Hill would stop running and we would find our little town centre quite literally isolated from the outside world? Despite, and in some ways because of the incredible weather, the Who is…? Forest Hill Pop Up was a real success.

Event Images

A Chilly Night at the Campervantastic Info Desk

A Cosy Scene - The Christmas Deccy Workshop at Stag and Bow

Dom with Students Inside Robert Stanford Real Estate

Just as Woodenfinger's puppet show is about to kick off at Sylvan Post

Join in Jazz at From the Forest

Making Christmas Cards

Mirror Mirror - Christmas Hair Crew (Contact New Shopper to Purchase)

African Drummming Workshop at the Mind Body Academy

Vegetable Carving Workshop at the Thai Orchard

Jonathan Naess - Green Without the Envy (Contact New Shopper to Purchase)

To inspire the people of Forest Hill about being members of a vibrant and dynamic local community through an event made up of local community run activities that celebrate what makes our community – our skills, shared interests, the buildings and facilities that support our activities, the businesses that operate ... Continue reading →